Delhi police detain student leaders and AAP workers in CEC protests

The mobilization began near Andhra Bhawan, where AISA members marched toward Jantar Mantar despite heavy barricades. Demonstrators reported physical altercations with police during the arrests, with one participant claiming she was dragged and her clothes torn during the scuffle. The protesters characterized the current Election Commission leadership as a threat to constitutional processes, labeling the CEC a "vote thief" and calling for his removal from office.

Simultaneously, AAP workers led by Saurabh Bhardwaj were detained while attempting to reach India Gate. From inside a police vehicle, Bhardwaj criticized the force's conduct, while AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal condemned the crackdown on X, comparing the government’s tactics to authoritarian regimes. These demonstrations follow reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi previously recorded internal objections regarding voter registration and database access. While the Election Commission maintains that these were merely standard administrative queries handled unanimously, the INDIA bloc has intensified its opposition, scheduling further coordinated protests for October and a major rally in New Delhi for November 1.